2013 -- What books have you read?

edited post is below

 

I have read a lot of books. But currently I am reading three.

The Naked Brain by Richard Restak which takes up the topic of neurology and how emotions, thought and even chemicals that affect our brain and ultimately affect our choices. He spends several chapters explaining how we respond to options in life while being influenced by advertising, people we trust and people we do not trust etc. I find the book fascinating.

I am also reading Baptist Patriots and the American Revolution by William Cathart. It is not as clear as I would like and seems to jump around a bit without disclosing where he is headed non-the-less there is ample historical content and good foot notes. only 106 pages.

Finally I am reading April 1865 by Jay Winik subtitled: The month that saved America. I just began reading and have not made it far but he begins the book with a good understanding of the war conditions of both the North and the South which were horrid to say the least. With both sides dealing with desertion primarily because their families were starving at home but also dealing with lack of clothing, bedding, food and medical attention and dysentery was also pretty rampant.

If you enjoyed the film Lincoln with Daniel Day Lewis then this book will fill in the gaps. In the film, Lincoln refers to his dreams and history tells us that he believed that he die based on a dream he had. Though I have not gotten to that section yet in the book I understand that Winik deals with topic of Lincoln’s dreams in a very straight forward manner in later chapters of the book. I you happen to read this book or have read it I would appreciate your feedback.

 

At the moment I'm doing a re-read of the End of State trio of sister books to the Left Behind series by Neesa Hart. I'm also reading Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow

 

Ancient Israel: The Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings: A Translation with Commentary
By Robert Alter

This is the fifth book in Robert Alter's Translation and Commentary of the Hebrew Bible (others are The David Story, The Pentatuch, Psalms, The Wisdom books).
It's much better than the current TV movie - and at 852 pages it's a heavy tome.


Decision Making God’s Way, A New Model for Knowing God’s Will
By Gary T. Meadors

Index
Part 1 Foundations for Knowing God’s Will
Part 2 Biblical Patterns for Knowing God’s Will
Part 3 Subjective Challenges to Knowing God’s Will
Part 4 Reflections on God’s Will Applied

Rob

 

Wow ... I LOVED that book. I LOVED it. I'm contemplating reading it again. There were some statements in there that had my eyebrows raised however. Not that I necessarily disagree with any of Pastor Bohoeffer's beliefs per se, they just made me really think hard.

 

Let's see ... 2013 ...

David Brainerd: A Flame for God

Made me really think hard about "counting the cost".

Humility: True Greatness (C. J. Mahaney)

Made me realize that pride is my absolute worst enemy among many other things.

Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God

Another EXCELLENT read.

John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace

A pretty good book on the life of John Newton. And what a life it was!

The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax

What can I say? A classic.

Grace Abounding

What a struggle John Bunyan had? What an excellent final result!

Gipsy Smith: His Life and Work

Pretty good read.

That's all for 2013 so far.

 

Jacob: Unexpected Patriarch [LINK]
By Yair Zakovitch, Yale University Press, 2012, 206 pp
translated from the Hebrew by Valerie Zakovitch

Drawing from both ancient and modern commentators, Zakovich examines the life of Jacob as presented in the scriptures.

From Jacob stealing the birthright from Esau, his deception of Isaac, his dealings with Laban and return the promised land, eventually finishing up in Genesis 49 and 50 with his blessing and death, this book is a vibrant commentary providing unique insights into the life of Jacob and his family.

Rob